You know that project you’re working on. Does it really require 100% bullseye accuracy and quality? Does it need to be the best thing you can possibly provide? Do all the lines need to match up, the fonts be consistent, the numbers spot-on? The word selection, the paragraph breaks, the lighting, the gradient, the timing?

Or, like, is 60% gonna do the trick?

I used to instruct my teammates on the awareness of a project requiring 60% (or 30% or 80% or 5%, depending) of you vs. 100%. Why? Because 1) most times I only needed a vague idea, something general to start with instead of a bullseye, and 2) because this is just one thing of many, and I didn’t want my colleagues to burn out turning over all the rocks to perfect this one project we’ll all quickly forget about.

Obviously, there are big projects that require a bang-up job. But definitely not all, and maybe not most.

Why is this important? 100% of me to every project means less quality work down the road due to exhaustion. It also means I’m less likely to start something new if I’m unprepared to give less than 100%. ‘If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right’ should not be an ultimatum. Sometimes doing 60% - and knowing that’s all I must do for now – gets me to start. When I start, I get an opportunity to finish, to learn, to grow.

I find the momentum of starting a better catalyst for success than the promise of a finished, perfect product. So I’ll offer the idea to you of understanding whether a project needs 100% or 60%. That answer could mean a longer lunch, an energizing walk outside, or a just-right porridge for your goldilocks manager.

If you’re having trouble finding balance or starting those things you want to start, coaching might be the gentle kick in the pants you need. I’m offering a perfect package for folks wanting to get started with a coach for the first time. If you’re interested, schedule a consultation here or check out more insightful coaching essays on my site.

Go get ‘em this week.